FMS-EFB Synchronization via Bidirectional Feedback and Sequence Numbers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flight management systems (FMS) and electronic flight bags (EFB) face challenges in maintaining synchronized information, leading to potential flight plan errors and increased workload for flight crews due to lack of bidirectional communication and efficient data synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for bidirectional communication between FMS and EFB, where the EFB transmits data with sequence numbers and status messages, allowing the FMS to load, verify, and output synchronization status, enabling continuous synchronization and aircraft operation based on a predetermined flight plan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bidirectional communication is implemented between FMS and EFB, then synchronization reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the FMS sends status messages back to the EFB confirming successful loading of flight plan data. Each uplink transmission includes a sequence number, and the FMS responds with a status message indicating whether the data was successfully loaded, creating a closed-loop communication system that ensures synchronization reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sequence numbers as an intermediary element to manage communication between FMS and EFB. The sequence numbers act as identifiers that allow the system to track and verify data transmissions without requiring complex communication protocols, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Measurement precision
If sequence numbers and status messages are transmitted for each uplink, then data synchronization accuracy is improved, but information transmission volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication process into discrete units: each uplink transmission is assigned a unique sequence number, and each status message corresponds to a specific sequence number. This segmentation allows for precise tracking of individual data packets without requiring transmission of redundant information, maintaining synchronization accuracy while minimizing overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sequence numbers as simplified copies or references to the actual flight plan data. Instead of transmitting redundant copies of the entire flight plan for verification, the system transmits lightweight sequence number identifiers that reference the original data, reducing information overhead while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
3Reliability
If continuous synchronization monitoring is implemented, then flight plan error detection is improved, but system workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service monitoring mechanism where the FMS automatically generates status messages in response to uplink transmissions from the EFB. The system monitors its own synchronization state through automated feedback loops, eliminating the need for external monitoring resources and reducing overall system workload while maintaining continuous error detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated feedback mechanism allows the system to self-monitor synchronization status without requiring additional processing resources. The FMS automatically compares received data with its internal flight plan and generates appropriate status messages, creating an efficient self-regulating system that maintains reliability without increasing workload.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transmitting a set of conforming data frames within an avionics system. The avionics system including a Flight Management System (FMS) and an avionics device. The method including generating, via the avionics device, at least one specialized message, transmitting, via the avionics device, the at least on specialized message, generating, via the avionics device, the set of conforming data frames, and transmitting, via the avionics device, at least a subset of the set of conforming data frames. The method comprising receiving, via the FMS, at least one transmission including at least one of the specialized header frame or the set of conforming data frames from the avionics device.